Five things we learned in USC's victory over Washington State

1/12

USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson breaks up a pass intended for Washington State wide receiver Dom Williams during the fourth quarter Nov. 1 in Pullman, Wash. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

2/12

USC running back Javorius Allen rushed for 114 yards in 19 carries, eclipsing 100-yard mark for his sixth consecutive game. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

3/12

USC’s Nelson Agholor, shown breaking a tackle attempt by Washington State’s Taylor Taliulu, caught eight passes for 220 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown reception, with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown as well. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

4/12

USC tailback Justin Davis cuts inside Washington State linebacker Ivan McLennan during the Trojans’ 44-17 victory Nov. 1 at Martin Stadium. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

5/12

USC cornerback Kevon Seymour, bottom, and linebacker Anthony Sarao tackle Washington State receiver Tyler Baker during the Trojans’ 44-17 victory Nov. 1. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

6/12

USC quarterback Cody Kessler attempts a pass against Washington State during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 1. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

7/12

Nelson Agholor gets around Washington State’s punt coverage team for a 65-yard touchdown return in the first quarter Saturday. Agholor also caught an 87-yard touchdown pass from Cody Kessler in USC’s 44-17 win. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

8/12

USC linebacker Hayes Pullard intercepts a pass from Washington State’s Connor Halliday intended for receiver Vince Mayle on Nov. 1. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

9/12

USC linebacker Hayes Pullard and quarterback Cody Kessler check on injured Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

10/12

Since 1986, there have been just four Heisman Trophy winners from the Pac-12 conference – three quarterbacks and running back. And in those three decades, only 15 players from the conference have finished in the top three in voting with 73 percent of those being quarterbacks. Good news for Falk who led the conference in total offense per game (370.5 yards) after accounting for 4,446 total yards with 41 total touchdowns. His touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.75) was better than three of the five quarterbacks in the Heisman voting last season. And his head coach, Mike Leach, has had three quarterbacks wind up in the top 10 in voting three different times during his head coaching career.

(Dean Hare / Associated Press)

11/12

Trojans cornerback Kevon Seymour (13) and linebacker Anthony Sarao (56), who are both eligible to leave USC for the draft, tackle Washington State receiver Tyler Baker. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

12/12

USC receiver JuJu Smith and Washington State cornerback Kevin Griffin fight for the ball. (Dean Hare / Associated Press)

By Lindsey Thiry

Nov. 2, 2014 8 AM PT

USC defeated Washington State, 44-17, on Saturday at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

Here are five things we learned about the Trojans in the victory.

USC can bounce back

USC has lost three games, two on last-second plays.

The Trojans bounced back to win the next game every time.

An emotional letdown was possible against Washington State after USC’s loss at Utah, which made a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game unlikely.

But USC did not appear to lack motivation against the Cougars, scoring 14 points within the first five minutes and not letting up the rest of the game.

Cody Kessler is comfortable throwing down-field

Quarterback Cody Kessler has been criticized for not throwing down-field enough.

Kessler turned a corner when he passed for a school-record seven touchdowns against Colorado.

He did not hesitate to air it out against Washington State. Kessler completed 21 of 32 passes for a career-high 400 yards and five touchdowns.

Kessler hit Nelson Agholor in stride on a 87-yard touchdown pass play.

Five Trojans receivers averaged more than 10 yards per reception.

Nelson Agholor makes plays

Junior receiver Nelson Agholor produced 291 all-purpose yards and two spectacular touchdowns.

Agholor returned a first-quarter punt 65 yards for a touchdown. It was Agholor’s school-record fourth punt return for a touchdown.

He also caught eight passes for a career-best 220 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown.

Agholor eclipsed 100 yards receiving for the third consecutive game.

After two seasons behind Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, Agholor has left no doubt he is capable of filling their shoes.

JuJu Smith has become steady force

Freshman receiver JuJu Smith has steadily proven himself as a reliable playmaker.

Smith caught six passes for 74 yards and three touchdowns.

It was Smith’s third consecutive game with a touchdown reception, his first with more than one.

Defense loses playmakers, but others step up

USC played without starting outside linebacker J.R. Tavai, who did not travel to Washington State because of a knee injury.

And the unit took a couple of more hits.

Linebacker Su’a Cravens and safety Leon McQuay were both sidelined because of injuries.

Cravens suffered a knee sprain in the second quarter and will undergo more tests when the team returns to Los Angeles, USC announced.

McQuay was injured in the fourth quarter when he attempted to make an interception and collided with cornerback Adoree’ Jackson while attempting to intercept a pass.

USC played backup linebackers Quinton Powell and Charles Burks and walk-on safety Matt Lopes.

Defensive lineman Greg Townsend Jr. started in place of Antwaun Woods, who was limited in practice this week because of an ear infection. Townsend also played as a stand-up rusher. He had a sack and came close to making several others

Questions or comments about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select emails in a weekly USC Now mailbag.

Five things we learned in USC’s victory over Washington State

More to Read

More From the Los Angeles Times